From Journey to Purpose
Ribaat’s April Student of the Month, Amina Muse, carries a story shaped by migration, resilience, and a deep commitment to serving her community. Known by several names (Amina, Nagaad, and Najat), she smiles when explaining that having multiple names is common in Somali culture, each with its own story.
Amina’s journey began far from where she lives today. Her parents, originally from Somalia, fled the civil war in 1991 and sought refuge in Yemen, where she was born. From there, the family traveled through Libya and Egypt before eventually making their way toward the United States in search of a better future. Though she has never lived in Somalia herself, the strength and heritage of her Somali roots remain central to who she is.
Today, Amina lives in Minnesota near her parents and siblings. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN-PHN) and is currently pursuing certification in Islamic-rooted childbirth education through AMANI Birth Academy, with plans to graduate this August inshallah and then to continue her training toward becoming an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC).
Through her studies and experience, Amina has become passionate about addressing a growing need within Muslim communities: education around pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding.
She explains, “Preparation is key for mothers to have empowered birth experiences and for fathers to understand how to support their wives during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum.” For Amina, family life itself is a sacred trust. “I believe marriage, conception, pregnancy, birth, and parenting are all acts of worship when done for the sake of Allah.”
Beyond her professional pursuits, Amina shares reflections on faith, motherhood, and personal growth through one social media handle, while she raises awareness about childbirth and breastfeeding in Muslim communities on another.
At the heart of her work lies a guiding verse from the Quran:“Indeed, my prayer, my sacrifice, my living, and my dying are for Allah, Lord of the worlds.” (Quran 6:162)
Finding Ribaat
Amina discovered Rabata in 2023, shortly after returning to Minnesota from the UAE with her two-year-old son. She had been searching online for activities for toddlers when she stumbled across a Wednesday music program.
At that moment in her life, she was navigating a difficult season in her marriage and longing for connection with other mothers, and for her son to spend time with other children. On her very first visit, she was greeted by Anse Michelle.
“She welcomed me with her radiant smile,” Amina recalls. “She still smiles the same way today, and I pray that Allah ﷻ continues to bless her with that light until the day she enters Janna.”
A year later, she attended a tafsir class taught by Anse Kaltun Karani, founder of Al-Hikma Academy. That class reignited something within her. Inspired to begin again with the Quran, Amina enrolled in her first Ribaat course—Accelerated Tajwid with Anse Nawar.
Today she continues her studies through the Khitma Project at Ribaat, along with other courses and Sunday halaqat whenever her schedule allows.
Seeing Life Through “Akhira Glasses”
One class, in particular, left a profound mark on Amina’s life: the Falah course with Dr. Anse Tamara.
“I used to wear glasses before having LASIK surgery six years ago,” she says. “After this course, I started wearing glasses again but these are not prescribed by an optometrist. They are called the akhira glasses.”
Through that lens, she explains, life looks different.
“With them, my life is in perspective. I am seeing Allah in everything.”
Amina hopes to continue studying with Ribaat until she completes certifications through the programs. Knowledge, for her, is not something to keep to oneself.
“Through teaching and sharing knowledge, I hope to contribute to spreading beneficial Islamic education within our community and outside of our community.”
From Hardship to Sisterhood
Amina’s Ribaat journey is deeply intertwined with a chapter of personal trial and healing.
Ramadan 2024 marked one of the lowest points of her life as she navigated a divorce while rebuilding her life in Minnesota with her young child. Yet one year later, Ramadan looked very different.
Determined to reconnect with Allah ﷻ and her community, she committed to praying tarawih at the masjid every night. There she met sisters from diverse backgrounds—some walking the same difficult path and others who had already emerged from it with wisdom and strength.
“Allah ﷻ knew exactly what I needed, and He made it possible for me to be there,” she reflects.
Later that year, she attended a Rabata retreat where learning about the lives of women in Islamic history deeply moved her, especially stories of mothers who raised great scholars and leaders despite difficult circumstances.
Those experiences transformed her grief into service.
The following Ramadan, Amina returned not as someone seeking support, but as someone offering it: volunteering to welcome new faces and create the same sense of belonging she once received.
Looking back on her journey, she summarizes it simply: “With Allah ﷻ I found solace, in sisterhood I found support, in knowledge I found certainty, and in service I found purpose.”
For now, she sees her daʿwa in the small but powerful acts of everyday life.
“For now, my daʿwa is to smile, smile, smile and dedicate my life to Allah ﷻ.”May Allah place baraka in Amina’s knowledge, strengthen her path of service, and allow her to nurture generations of families—through faith, compassion, and wisdom—leaving behind a legacy that continues to grow long after her, ameen!